2018 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2018 · GS Paper I

Question 4: Environment and Ecology

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) ?

  1. 1.The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
  2. 2.The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

a1 only
b2 only
cBoth 1 and 2
dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

The NGT was set up under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, to hear environmental cases quickly and to ease the load on the higher courts. The CPCB is also statutory: it was constituted under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, not by an executive order, so statement 1 is wrong. Statement 2 separates their roles correctly: the NGT delivers environmental justice, while the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells and works to improve air quality.

  • 1. The CPCB was created by the Water Act, 1974, not by an executive order.
  • 2. The NGT gives environmental justice and relieves the higher courts; the CPCB works for clean water and air.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.

    What you needed to know: The CPCB was created by the Water Act, 1974, not by an executive order.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: The NGT gives environmental justice and relieves the higher courts; the CPCB works for clean water and air.

Only (b) is left. This one needs every statement.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: the CPCB is a statutory body created under the Water Act, 1974.
  • (b) Right: only statement 2 holds.
  • (c) Wrong: statement 1 is false.
  • (d) Wrong: statement 2 is correct.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.